Check my understanding of voltage please

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    Voltage
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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the concept of voltage in relation to battery chemistry, specifically the roles of zinc and copper in generating electric charge. When a chemical reaction occurs, zinc becomes negatively charged while copper becomes positively charged, leading to electron flow from the positive to the negative terminal. This flow is resisted by the electric field at the negative terminal, and the work done per unit of charge is defined as voltage. The participants emphasize that understanding "work" and "energy" is fundamental to grasping the principles of physics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic understanding of electrochemistry, particularly battery reactions.
  • Familiarity with the concepts of electric charge and electric fields.
  • Knowledge of the relationship between work and energy in physics.
  • Awareness of the six domains of physics: electric, magnetic, mechanical, thermal, electromagnetic/photon, and chemical.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of electrochemistry and how batteries function.
  • Explore the concept of electric fields and their impact on charge movement.
  • Learn about the work-energy theorem in physics.
  • Investigate the different domains of physics and their interconnections.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the fundamental principles of energy conversion in batteries and electrical systems.

user111_23
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From what I understand, when a chemical reaction within the battery occurs, the zinc becomes negatively charged and the copper rod becomes positively charged. When an electron flows from "+" to "-", it is resisted by the electric field by the negative terminal. The chemical reaction does "work" (that word makes me cringe) on the charges to move it to the negative terminal. That amount of work per unit of charge is voltage.

I'm a physics newbie, so please bear with me! :smile:
 
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Very good. It does indeed take work to achieve this. Why does the word "work" make you cringe? If I could summarize all of physics in one word, "work" or "energy" would be that word.

Work/energy is what physics is all about. It manifests itself in 6 domains, electric, magnetic, mechanical, thermal, electromagnetic/photon, & chemical.

"Work" is the correct way of looking at batteries and any other energy conversion device.

Claude
 
Work isn't really that bad, it's just that work and energy are circular concepts. But I can live with that. :smile:
 

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